Ronald Karl Burford

Ronald K. (Ron) Burford, 71, passed peacefully at his home in Columbus, OH home on November 30, 2017. Ron was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine division during Vietnam and was honorably discharged August 30, 1968 with the rank of Corporal. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. Ron was born on May 19, 1946, in Memphis, TN, and the only child of the late Alice Burford and Sam Helms. In 1964, he joined the armed forces and was assigned to the Marine Corps base camp in Lejeune, NC. After graduating from special training, he was deployed to Da Nang in Vietnam with the Special Operations Group. He was discharged with full honors in 1968. Ron graduated from Central State University in Wilberforce, OH in 1971 with a B.S. in Psychology and from Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH in 1973 with a M.S. in Correctional Administration. While at Central State University, Ron was a member of the football team and became a founding member of the Cutthroats in 1969. The Cutthroats served as a social organization for the Central State University Marauders football team to develop team unity, comradery and social spirit. The organization is still active today. Professionally Ron served as Asst. Regional Administrator and Parole Counselor for the Ohio Youth Commission in Dayton, OH, U.S. Probation Officer for the U. S. District Courts in Cincinnati, OH and the Vietnam Veterans Counselor for the Veterans Administration in Columbus, OH. For the next 40 years he served in management as a criminal justice and security professional in both the state and federal government until his full retirement in 2010. After retirement, Ron continued his community service through several professional organizations. He was the defensive line coach for the Urbana University football team, an active member of the American Correctional Association, National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice, OH High School Coaches Association, In-Fisherman Association, North American Fisherman Association and the Columbus East High School Football Coaching Staff. He and his wife Carol, enjoyed fishing and boating on Lake Erie and travelled extensively. They both won awards through Fish Ohio for catching award winning size fish. Ron and Carol enjoyed spending time with their family and their beloved dog Max. Cpl. Burford was a brave and loyal soldier, a mentor to many and a beloved husband and father. He will be sadly missed by all. He is survived by his loving wife, Carol, daughters, Aimee (Fred) Schwab of Columbus, OH and Candacy Taylor of Bisbee, AZ; sons, Michael Burford and Christopher Burford of Columbus,OH, Deonte Rudasill, who Ron thought of as a son; grandchildren Corinna, Justin and Joshua Schwab and great grandchild Amelia Wilson. As well as a host of other family members and friends. He is predeceased by son Jeffrey(Patti) Cowans of Columbus, OH. A viewing will take place on Monday December 11, 2017 at the American Legion, Bexley Post, 3227 Livingston Avenue from 10:30am to 12:30pm. Internment and a graveside service will take place at the VA National Cemetery in Dayton, OH at 2:30 promptly. Funeral arrangements are provided by the Edwards Funeral Service